The Green Party of Virginia joins environmentalist activists across the Commonwealth in mourning the passing of Northern Virginia Green Party chairperson Paul Hughes, who died this past weekend from a heart attack. "Paul was a "gentle warrior" who had a clear understanding of how the American promise of a democratic Republic was being thwarted by a small ruling elite," said David Cobb, former 2004 Green Party Presidential candidate and current MoveToAmend.org organizer. "He will be sorely missed."

A long time resident of Fairfax County and retired government consultant, Hughes chaired the Northern Virginia local of the Green Party of Virginia. He also owned several environmentally friendly businesses that specialized in salvaging construction materials from demolition sites (Deconstruction Services) and selling them from his Springfield warehouse (Rebuild Warehouse). His business legacy includes the hiring and training of ex-prison convicts and former drug addicts and channeling them into productive careers.

As an activist, Hughes was well regarded as a Sierra Club volunteer and an early supporter of the work of the Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy POCLAD). He was one of the first organizers for the MoveToAmend.org coalition in Virginia. Throughout his life, Hughes worked tirelessly for Virginians and all Americans, and served as a mentor and inspiration to many.

The Green Party of Virginia wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the Hughes family for the loss of this great Virginian.

Additional information on the Virginia Green Party can be found at: http://vagreenparty.org/
GPVA Press Secretary: Scott Burger